Sabbir Rahman’s valiant effort went in vain as Chittagong Kings consigned Dhaka Capitals to a fifth defeat in a row in the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2024-25 season by securing a seven-wicket victory at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Thursday.
Once touted as the only genuine T20 batter of Bangladesh, Sabbir hammered an unbeaten 33-ball 82 to steer Dhaka to 177/5 but Chittagong overhauled the target with three balls to spare by reaching 180/3.
Pakistani recruit Usman Khan, who opened the innings, led the charge with 33-ball 55 and some handy contributions from Graham Clark (39), skipper Mohammad Mithun (33 not out) and Shamim Hossain (30 not out) helped Chittagong win with ease for their second victory in three matches.
Dhaka bowling line-up misfired again collectively, ruining the valiant effort Sabbir put in.
Sabbir, who last played for Bangladesh national team in 2022, was kept out from the Dhaka squad in the last couple of matches due to disciplinary issue, according to head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon.
However, he flourished with full glory to help the side reach a good position despite a middle-order collapse.
He survived twice on 66 and 74 when Chittagong fielders failed to hold onto the catches he offered.
He remained unbeaten and his innings was laced with three fours and nine sixes.
Dhaka dropped Liton Das from the squad following a poor run of form but that did not solve their opening problem.
England recruit Jason Roy also could not pay the faith Dhaka kept on him as he was out for only one.
Local opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim propped up his game to blast 48-ball 53 with four fours and two sixes.
Farmanullah with 10 not out was the only other batter to reach double digit.
Pacer Syed Khaled Ahmed scalped 3/21 to be the top wicket-taker for Chittagong and was adjudged man of the match later.
14TH MATCH
Dhaka Capitals 177/5 (Sabbir 82*, Tanzid 54) lost to Chittagong Kings 180/3 in 19.3 overs (Usman 55, Clark 39) by 7 wickets
